By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(FRANKLIN COUNTY, MA) The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office is warning consumers of a plethora of scams targeting everything from the COVID-19 vaccine to the Hampshire and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Scammers may call and identify themselves as part of the Civil Division of the local court system, and make a statement about a missed jury summons resulting in criminal charges. The best thing to do, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, is hang up especially if money or payment with gift cards is demanded or threats are made. Additionally, District Attorney Dave Sullivan said consumers should not trust their caller ID and unexpected calls should be sent to voicemail.
Consumers should also look out for new COVID-19 scams asking for payment. Sullivan warns that consumers likely will not have to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during the COVID-19 health emergency and there is no waiting list to get the vaccine or any way to get early access. Credit card information and social security information will not be sought from insurance companies or vaccine distribution locations to sign anyone up for a vaccine.
To report an incident of fraud visit the FTC website at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov. There is also a localized consumer scam sheet that can be found at www.northwesternDA.org.